Forum Discussion
RCS Issues, Google Messages Glitch, Group Message Issues
Hola,
This is a multifaceted problem that I've seen all over various forums, so I am not quite sure if the issue is specifically T-mobile, Google Messages, or something else. I have a Samsung Galaxy S22 running One UI V6.0, Android V14. The last software update was 22Mar2024 and these issues have been occurring for months.
- Frequently, in individual message threads or group threads, I will not be able to send or receive messages at all. I will get a single balloon of death that never converts to two balloons, and will not be given the option to send the message as SMS instead. I am connected to RCS, have 5G signal, and available WiFi.
- In a group chat with two other Android users (on two other carriers), random numbers join the group, and then leave the group. The other two users do not see this activity. I am the original owner of this phone and have had this specific phone number for about 20y so it is highly unlikely that this is a carryover from a previous owner.
- In the same group chat as in #2, I am frequently booted from the group. Sometimes I am notified of this on my side of the group chat and sometimes I am not. Someone has to manually add me back in. This happens at random times, and has been occurring for multiple weeks, so it's not like one of us got a new version of a messaging app suddenly and it broke the chat.
In other forums, I have seen the following as a "solution" of sorts: turn on airplane mode, force stop Google Messages, delete cache, delete data, restart phone in airplane mode, exercise patience, turn off airplane mode. I have performed this action many, many times. It seems to fix it, sometimes, but doesn't last very long. This is not a solution.
I've also seen performing a factory reset as a "solution." I have not done this yet because I find it absurdly excessive.
I know I am not the only one in the T-Mobile community to experience this type of behavior. I prefer using Google Messages to Samsung Messages so switching messaging apps is not my favorite solution either. Please advise on appropriate next steps to rectify this situation.
I have an old LG V60 and just switched to Google Messages from the standard one. It has some nice features, e.g. gets rid of spam, but really screws up group chats.
The RCS issue has driven me to the brink of switching from being a long-time Samsung user to iPhone.
What I’ve found is that Google Messages RCS does not communicate as designed with iPhone users unless they enable RCS texting, and most don’t since they mainly communicate with each other via iMessaging.
I'm in numerous group texts for work, family, clubs, etc., in which about 70 percent of the members are iPhone users. Those group texts get broken up. in fact, my own number bounces back to me as part of the group text. I've been using Samsung Messaging as a workaround, but of course that app offers only very basic communication with no emoji reactions, etc.
I can pretty much guarantee that Samsung/Android are going to lose a lot of customers if they don't get this sorted out asap, because it's unacceptable. I've always been an Android fan over Apple, but that loyalty is waning quickly.
tidbits wrote:
Just need a Samsung device in the group and it causes the issue.
The only 2 constants are a Samsung device in the group, and Google Messages. It gets worse with more Samsung devices.
This is so true and frustrating.
